»Chapters 156, 158, CO2 Budget Trading [Posted on Wednesday April 29, 2020] Chapter 156: CO2 Budget Trading Program
Chapter 158: CO2 Budget Trading Program Auction Provisions
This proposal updates the rules governing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to conform with the updated Model Rule published by RGGI, Inc. on December 19, 2017 and revised on December 14, 2018. The changes maintain Maine's participation in the program through 2030 and beyond by defining Maine's emissions cap and rate of cap reduction in alignment with the other participating states. The proposed amendments to Chapters 156 and 158 include updates to the CO2 allowance allocation provisions, changes to definitions supporting the updates, and the deletion of the SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) and energy efficiency offset categories.
The proposed CO2 allowance allocation amendments include:
- CO2 budget trading program base budget (in tons) for 2021 through 2030.
- The creation of an emissions containment reserve (ECR) allowing greater emissions reductions in the event that reductions prove less expensive than anticipated. States implementing the ECR will withhold allowances from an auction if the ECR trigger price is not met.
- The CCR trigger price is established at $13 in 2021. Each year after 2021, the CCR trigger price is 1.07 multiplied by the CCR trigger price from the previous calendar year.
- The number of CCR allowances available for each year from 2021 onward is established.
- The CO2 budget trading program adjusted budget is established for 2021 through 2025 (formula)
»Chapter 400: Maine Solid Waste Management Rules [Posted on Thursday April 09, 2020] On January 13, 2020, the Department received a citizen petition to initiate rulemaking to amend the Chapter 400: Maine Solid Waste Management Rules to: "clarify requirements for Public Benefit Determinations relating to approval of waste facilities, by ensuring that the definition of "waste that is generated within the State" accurately describes the sources of waste materials disposed in the State, and by requiring Public Benefit Determinations to include consideration of the impacts on health and welfare, environmental justice and equal protections for communities where waste facilities operate." On March 5 the Board voted to post the proposed changes to public hearing pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 8055.
Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, the Board has not yet scheduled a public hearing on this matter but is accepting written public comments on the draft proposal for the record. A public hearing will be scheduled as soon as the situation allows. Additional public notice will be provided in advance of the public hearing as required by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act.